Laker Legacy
A comprehensive exploration of the Grand Valley State Lakers football program, a beacon of excellence in NCAA Division II athletics.
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Program Overview
A Tradition of Excellence
The Grand Valley State Lakers football team, representing Grand Valley State University (GVSU), stands as a powerhouse in NCAA Division II football. Competing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), the Lakers have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, boasting one of the highest winning percentages across all NCAA divisions.[1]
Championship Pedigree
Since 2001, the Lakers have made a remarkable six appearances in the NCAA Division II national title games, securing four championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. This impressive record is complemented by 20 playoff appearances and 17 conference titles, shared between the GLIAC and the now-defunct Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC).[1]
Lubbers Stadium: The Home Field Advantage
Since 1973, Grand Valley has played its home games at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Michigan. Originally built in 1972, the stadium features a FieldTurf surface and has a capacity of 10,440. It has undergone significant renovations and expansions to accommodate the consistently large crowds that often exceed its official seating capacity, a testament to the fervent Laker fan base.[25]
Unparalleled Winning Record
From its inception in 1970, the GVSU football program has amassed an overall winning percentage of .747 with a record of 439–148–3. This places the Lakers at the pinnacle of NCAA Division II football and among the elite programs nationwide. Their home record is equally formidable at 219–46–1, underscoring the difficulty opponents face when playing in Allendale.[3]
The Formative Years: 1970s
Program Inception and Early Challenges
Grand Valley State College initiated its football program with a junior varsity schedule in 1970, transitioning to a varsity sport in 1971. Robert "Rip" Collins, a respected high school coach, was appointed the program's first head coach. The initial years were challenging, with the Lakers struggling to find a home field and enduring an 0–13 record in 1971 and 1972, being outscored 534–58. A notable early game included a loss at Soldier Field against the University of Illinois-Chicago Circle.[4]
New Leadership and Facilities
In January 1973, E. James Harkema took the helm as head coach, arriving from Northern Illinois. His tenure coincided with the completion of a new football field in 1972, featuring the nation's first "Prescription Athletic Turf" (PAT) playing surface, a significant upgrade for the burgeoning program.[5]
Rise to National Attention
The Lakers joined the newly formed Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in 1974, finishing third with a 6–3 record. A pivotal moment arrived in 1976 when GVSU, fueled by 21 seniors, stunned the defending NCAA Division II National Champions and No. 1 ranked Northern Michigan University, ending their 18-game winning streak with a 31–14 victory. This upset significantly boosted the program's recruiting efforts and national profile.[6]
First Conference Titles and Playoff Run
Under Harkema, the Lakers secured their first Great Lakes Conference Championship in 1977, winning three titles over the next five years. The 1978 team, led by quarterback David Quinley, achieved a 9–3 record, including a GLIAC title and an NAIA Playoff victory, before falling in the Semi-Finals. This era saw the emergence of national talents like offensive tackle Ron Essink, who went on to a distinguished NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks.[6]
The Resurgence: 1980s
Coaching Transitions and Program Stability
Coach Harkema continued his winning ways from 1980–1982, posting records of 7–2, 7–3, and 7–2. Following his departure to Eastern Michigan, Bob Giesey's brief tenure saw a decline, including an 0–10 season in 1984. The program found new direction with the hiring of Tom Beck, who quickly revitalized the team, ending a 14-game losing streak and finishing 1985 with a 6–5 record.[6]
Explosive Offense and Key Hires
Beck's leadership ushered in an era of explosive offenses and consistent success. The 1986 team achieved a 9–2 record. A significant development was the hiring of Brian Kelly in 1987 as a graduate assistant and defensive backs coach, a move that would profoundly shape the Lakers' future for nearly two decades.[6]
Undefeated Season and Records
The 1989 season marked a historic milestone with the Lakers achieving their first undefeated regular season, finishing 11–0 and clinching the Great Lakes Conference Championship. This team led Division II in total offense (480.9 yards per game) and scoring (44.5 points per game), highlighted by a record-breaking 91–0 victory over Valparaiso. Freshman kicker Miguel Sagaro set a Division II record with 65 of 66 extra points, and sophomore fullback Eric Lynch scored 21 touchdowns before embarking on an NFL career with the Detroit Lions.[6]
Conference Shifts: 1990s
Formation of the MIFC
The early 1990s saw a significant conference realignment. In 1990, Grand Valley, along with other GLIAC members, joined forces with schools from the Heartland Conference to form the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC). The Lakers continued their winning momentum, securing the inaugural MIFC crown with a 10–2 record, though their playoff run ended in the first round.[6]
Sustained Success and All-Americans
The Lakers maintained a strong presence throughout the decade, sharing their second MIFC crown in 1992 and making a return trip to the playoffs in 1994. Despite some seasons without playoff berths, the program consistently produced All-American talent, including players like Mike Sheldon, Diriki Mose, and Matt Potter, who earned multiple national honors.[6]
Jeff Fox and Harlon Hill Recognition
The decade concluded with quarterback Jeff Fox leading the Lakers to their second straight MIFC title and another playoff appearance in 1998. Fox became GVSU's first-ever Harlon Hill Trophy Finalist, a prestigious award for the Division II Player of the Year, as he rewrote the GVSU single-season and career offensive record books.[6]
The Dynasty Era: 2000s
Ascent to National Prominence (2000-2001)
The 2000s marked the most successful period in Grand Valley Football history. After a slow start in 2000, the sophomore-dominated team regrouped to finish 7–4. In 2001, the Lakers achieved a perfect 10–0 regular season, averaging 58.4 points per game. Led by GLIAC Player of the Year and Harlon Hill Runner-Up quarterback Curt Anes, GVSU reached its first National Championship game, narrowly losing to North Dakota 17–14.[7]
Back-to-Back National Titles (2002-2003)
The 2002 season saw GVSU achieve an undefeated 14–0 record, culminating in their first NCAA Division II National Championship with a 31–24 victory over Valdosta State. Curt Anes, who won the Harlon Hill Trophy, led a potent offense. The motto "Tradition Never Graduates" proved true in 2003, as the Lakers, despite losing 25 seniors, secured their second consecutive national title with a 10–3 win against North Dakota. This team became the first DII playoff team to win four straight road games en route to a championship.[19]
Coaching Transition and Continued Dominance (2004-2006)
Following Brian Kelly's departure, Chuck Martin took over as head coach in 2004, leading the Lakers to a 10–3 record and a Regional Final appearance. The 2005 season saw GVSU achieve another undefeated 13–0 record and their third national championship, defeating Northwest Missouri State. Martin was named National Coach of the Year. In 2006, the Lakers completed another perfect 15–0 season, winning their fourth national title against Northwest Missouri State. Quarterback Cullen Finnerty became the winningest quarterback in NCAA All-Division history with a 51–4 career record.[30]
The "Ice Bowl" and GLIAC Streaks (2007-2009)
The Lakers' remarkable 40-game win streak, an all-time Division II record, was snapped in the 2007 National Semifinal against Northwest Missouri State in the infamous "Ice Bowl." Despite the loss, GVSU finished 12–1. The team continued its GLIAC dominance, claiming four consecutive championships from 2006-2009. In 2009, GVSU reached the DII National Championship game again, falling to Northwest Missouri State, but set a Lubbers Stadium attendance record of 16,467.[42]
A New Decade: 2010s
Matt Mitchell Era Begins (2010)
Matt Mitchell took over as head coach in 2010 after Chuck Martin joined Brian Kelly's staff at Notre Dame. Mitchell, previously the defensive coordinator, continued the Lakers' success, leading them to their sixth consecutive GLIAC championship and an 11–2 overall record, advancing to the second round of the playoffs.[43]
Offensive Prowess (2011-2012)
The 2011 and 2012 seasons saw the Lakers finish with 8–3 records, consistently leading the GLIAC in scoring offense, total offense, and rushing offense. Quarterbacks Heath Parling and Isiah Grimes both led the nation in passing efficiency during their respective seasons, showcasing GVSU's high-powered offensive capabilities.[43]
Playoff Runs and Semifinal Appearances (2013, 2015)
In 2013, GVSU reached the NCAA Semifinals, finishing 12–3 and ranked #3 nationally, with notable playoff victories over Saginaw Valley, CSU Pueblo, and West Texas A&M. The 2015 season saw another deep playoff run, where the Lakers defeated rivals Ashland and Ferris State, and CSU Pueblo, before falling in the National Semifinal. This period highlighted the emergence of future NFL talent like Matthew Judon, who led all NCAA players in sacks.[49]
Rivalry Battles and Consistent Playoff Berths (2016-2019)
The latter half of the 2010s was marked by intense rivalry games, particularly against Ferris State. In 2016, GVSU completed an undefeated regular season, winning the GLIAC title, but fell to Ferris State in the regional final. The Lakers continued to make playoff appearances in 2018, finishing 10–2, and consistently demonstrated strong performances despite tough schedules and close losses in key matchups.[44]
Modern Era: 2020s
The Pandemic Interruption (2020)
The 2020 football season was unfortunately canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, marking a temporary pause in the Lakers' storied history.[43]
Resurgence and Top Rankings (2021-2022)
GVSU quickly rebounded, finishing the 2021 season 10–2 and ranked #4 nationally, reaching the second round of the playoffs. The 2022 season was particularly memorable, with the Lakers achieving an undefeated 11–0 regular season, including five wins over ranked opponents. This included a thrilling 22–21 comeback victory over #1 Ferris State in the Anchor-Bone Classic, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the top two ranked teams in the country faced off. GVSU won the GLIAC title and entered the NCAA DII tournament as the nation's top-ranked team, ultimately finishing #3 after a close playoff loss.[50]
New Leadership and Continued Success (2023-2024)
Scott Wooster was promoted to Head Coach in 2023, continuing the program's strong trajectory. The Lakers faced a challenging schedule but repeated as GLIAC Champions with a 9–1 regular season record, including a dominant 49–35 victory over #1 Ferris State. Their playoff run saw them defeat Ferris State and Pittsburg State before a narrow 7–6 loss to eventual National Champion Harding in the regional final, finishing 11–2 and ranked #3. The 2024 season saw another playoff appearance, reaching the second round.[52]
National Championships
The Grand Valley State Lakers have a distinguished record in NCAA Division II National Championship games, securing four titles.
Championship Victories
| Year | Association | Division | Head Coach | Record | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | NCAA (4) | Division II (4) | Brian Kelly | 14–0 (9–0 GLIAC) | Valdosta State | W, 31–24 |
| 2003 | 14–1 (9–1 GLIAC) | North Dakota | W, 10–3 | |||
| 2005 | Chuck Martin | 13–0 (9–0 GLIAC) | Northwest Missouri State | W, 21–17 | ||
| 2006 | 15–0 (10–0 GLIAC) | Northwest Missouri State | W, 17–14 |
NCAA Playoff History
The Lakers have made twenty-three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, compiling a combined record of 38–18, including their four national championships.
Playoff Appearances by Year
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | First Round | Indiana (PA) | L, 24–34 |
| 1990 | First Round | East Texas State | L, 14–20 |
| 1991 | First Round | East Texas State | L, 15–36 |
| 1994 | First Round | Indiana (PA) | L, 27–35 |
| 1998 | First Round | Slippery Rock | L, 14–37 |
| 2001 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Bloomsburg Saginaw Valley State Catawba North Dakota |
W, 42–14 W, 33–30 W, 34–16 L, 14–17 |
| 2002 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
C.W. Post Indiana (PA) Northern Colorado Valdosta State |
W, 63–13 W, 62–21 W, 44–7 W, 31–24 |
| 2003 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Bentley Saginaw Valley State Texas A&M–Kingsville North Dakota |
W, 65–36 W, 10–3 W, 31–3 W, 10–3 |
| 2004 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals |
Winona State Northwood North Dakota |
W, 16–13 W, 10–7 L, 15–19 |
| 2005 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
North Dakota Saginaw Valley State East Stroudsburg NW Missouri State |
W, 17–3 W, 24–17 W, 55–20 W, 21–17 |
| 2006 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
South Dakota North Dakota Delta State NW Missouri State |
W, 35–17 W, 30–20 W, 49–30 W, 17–14 |
| 2007 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
North Dakota Central Washington NW Missouri State |
W, 21–14 W, 41–21 L, 16–34 |
| 2008 | Second Round Quarterfinals |
Ashland Minnesota–Duluth |
W, 40–7 L, 13–19 2OT |
| 2009 | Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Hillsdale Minnesota–Duluth Carson–Newman NW Missouri State |
W, 44–27 W, 24–10 W, 41–27 L, 23–30 |
| 2010 | First Round Second Round |
Colorado Mines Augustana (SD) |
W, 35–13 L, 6–38 |
| 2013 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Saginaw Valley State CSU Pueblo West Texas A&M NW Missouri State |
W, 40–7 W, 34–30 W, 35–28 L, 13–27 |
| 2015 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Ashland Ferris State CSU Pueblo Shepherd |
W, 45–28 W, 38–34 W, 31–7 L, 32–34 |
| 2016 | Second Round Quarterfinals |
Texas A&M–Commerce Ferris State |
W, 55–32 L, 32–47 |
| 2018 | First Round | NW Missouri State | L, 17–42 |
| 2021 | First Round Second Round |
Lindenwood Ferris State |
W, 20–3 L, 20–54 |
| 2022 | Second Round Quarterfinals |
NW Missouri State Ferris State |
W, 13–8 L, 21–24 |
| 2023 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals |
Ferris State Pittsburg State Harding |
W, 21–14 W, 24–21 L, 6–7 |
| 2024 | First Round Second Round |
Indianapolis Harding |
W, 24–7 L, 26–44 |
NFL Alumni
Grand Valley State has a proud tradition of developing talent that goes on to play in the National Football League (NFL) and other professional leagues.
Current NFL Players
- Matthew Judon – OLB – Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins[53]
Notable Former NFL Players
- Brandon Carr – CB – Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens[54]
- Nick Keizer – TE – Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs[55]
- David Talley – LB – Green Bay Packers[56]
- Charles Johnson – WR – Philadelphia Eagles[57]
- Tim Lelito – OL – Detroit Lions[58]
- Todd Carter - K[59]
- Dan Skuta – LB[60]
- Nick McDonald – OL[61]
- Cameron Bradfield – OL[62]
- Josh Bourke – T (+ CFL)[63]
- Eric Fowler – WR[64]
- Matt Armstrong – C (+ AFL)[65]
- David Kircus – WR[68]
- Cullen Finnerty – QB[69]
- Curt Anes – QB[70]
- Brandon Barnes[71]
- Jeff Fox – QB[72]
- Eric Lynch – RB[73]
- Derrick Jones – DE[74]
- Mike Sheldon – OL[75]
- Rick Johnson – T[76]
- Frank Miotke – WR[77]
- Jeff Chadwick – WR[78]
- Rob Rubick – TE[79]
- Gary Evans - OT
- Ron Essink – OT[80]
- Brandon Revenberg – OL – CFL – Hamilton Tiger Cats
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional sports analysis or official university information. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official university records, professional sports commentary, or expert analysis. Always refer to official Grand Valley State University athletics websites and reputable sports news sources for the most current and accurate information. Never disregard official statements or professional insights because of something you have read on this website.
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